The Irish standard., 1887-03-19

ton. "What-Maher? Where are the
horses?''
.'Here! sir, what's the matter? Are
they after us?''
''They are: they are! o blessed
night! I'm burning!'
s.Who are they?"
GAIL that's evil, I think! Mount and
be off-Don't you see 'em, and hear
'em, and feel 'em? I do, if you don't
There -there!' he added, dashing the
chalice at Makers feet, while the latter
started back there's what they're all
of 'em schreeching after, and what I
brought through the midst of 'em all
take it, you, and bring it along.''
The old woman, at sight of the sacred
cup, clasped her hands and uttered a
scream of horror. Suil Dhuv looked
upon, and instantly recognised her. At
the same instant, too, the recollection of
her intended benediction, to which he
paid no attention at the moment when it
was spoken, and which seemed to have
been preserved hitherto in the mere ave-
nues of the sense, now forced it's way
with all it's original distinctness into the
understanding, and froze him with hor-
ror. "May all that you do there be re-
membered to you at the day o. judg-
ment, in the last o. the world, and
through all eternity for ever!' The
solemnity of the anathema, the more
fearful as it was most innocently meant
by the speaker. and seemed to be alto
gether the voice of Providence unconsci-
ously transmitted to her, pealed with
stunning influence upon his heart and
brain. That very innocencY of inten-
ton, moreover, served only to increase
his rage against the poor woman. He
rushed furiously upon her, and would,
most probably, have shook the unfor-
tunate creatures bones tout of her gar
ments,'' in spite of the vigorous resist
ance which was made by Maher, had not
a new subject of alarm suddenly struck
his sight. He relaxed his bands, which
were clenched hard upon the throat of
his accomplice, and remained for mo-
ment silent, and staring fixedly over his
shoulder, on the distant hills.
s.Light he's getten. SURELY" said
Nun.
"a judgment from Heaven!' ex-
claimed his mother.
The Conner continued gazing on the
distance, and muttering, between his
teeth-"Ay nowhere 'tis-it's really
coming now through-Look, look at all
the fires breaking through the earth
Nun turned, and beheld indeed a
sight which showed him there was some
ground for the wild words Of the Coiner.
The mountains and the plains on all
sides around them were lighted up with
fres-the red lustre of
which, during the space of time con-
sumed by their conversation, had sup
planted that of the heavy evening sun.
6 Ills the Eha-na-Shawn, sure, - says
The old woman.
SIS it st. Johns fires you'd be won
lheren at, that way?" asked Maher.
Suil Dhuvpaused moment, breathed
heavily, then sprung into the air,
both feet against the ground,
and shaking back his hair that was
lamp with perspiration, he snatched
he reins of his horse and mounted in an
instant.
Maher was about to follow his ex-
ample, when his mother bent forward
and laid her hand entreatingly upon his
arm. s'Mun, Nun darlen? O Nun, a
anna ma chree!'
"To- morrow. mother : to- morrow
I'll bein my fathers house agin,
but must be good to my word to-night.
Take care O. the chalice, for / wouldn't
touch it," said Maher, as he rode after
his leader, the tramping of whose horses
boots were already heard in the distance.
':Heaven speed that morrow, then?'
the old woman, clasping her
hands once more, and turning up her
Did eyes in fervent prayer-''Heaven
Keep my child cut of sin and. blood this
night! Alb! see where they
eft the chalice, the two Of 'em." And
plucking some dock-1eaves, which she
reverently wrapped about the sacred
vessel, taking care not to pollute the
silver by her touch Gan inn
piety from which it needed not the re-
nembrance of the fate of Oza to warn
her. -she carried it between her hands,
With many genufection, and many
ugh, and many an ':Allilu! o hone!
to her own humble dwelling.
CHAPTER XII.